Applying for benefits doesn’t require a visit to the office

Q: I made a trip to the local Social Security because I wanted to apply for my retirement benefits. I left because the waiting room was extremely crowded. Can I apply for my benefits by phone?

A: Yes, you can schedule a telephone appointment by calling our toll-free number at 800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. any Monday through Friday. Calling early or late is the best option.

You also can complete the online application for retirement in as little as 30 minutes at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. Once you complete and submit the electronic application, that’s all that’s needed in most cases — no more papers to sign or documents to provide. You can check the status of the application by using your confirmation number.

If you have not already done so, you should consider creating a “my Social Security” account for immediate access to your personal Social Security information. During your working years, you can use “my Social Security” to view your Social Security statement to verify your earnings record and to see estimates of the future retirement, disability and survivor benefits you and your family may receive.

It is extremely important to verify the accuracy of your earnings record while you are working since future benefits are based on your earnings. If your earnings are not accurate, you may not get all the benefits you earned when you retire.

Once you start getting your benefits, use “my Social Security” to get your proof of benefits letter, change your address or phone number in our records, start or change your direct deposit information, and check your benefit and payment information.

Q: I suspect that someone I know is collecting Social Security disability benefits when they should not be. What is the best way for me to report fraud?

A: Social Security has zero tolerance for fraud and uses many proven tactics to prevent fraud, waste and abuse.

Our Office of the Inspector General is relentless in its pursuit of people who conceal work activity while receiving disability benefits. We investigate and seek prosecution for people who receive benefits for a child or children who are not under their care, or who fail to notify Social Security of the death of a beneficiary and continue to receive and cash checks of the deceased.

We also depend on you to help stop fraud. Please report fraud online at http://oig.ssa.gov/report or call the Social Security fraud hot line at 800-269-0271.

Oscar Garcia is a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration. You can direct your questions to him at: SSA, 411 Richland Hills Drive, San Antonio 78245. You also can email him at oscar.h.garcia@ssa.gov.